Efficacy of Stellate Ganglion Block in Cholinergic Urticaria with Acquired Generalized Hypohidrosis

Cholinergic urticaria with acquired generalized hypohidrosis, and its pathophysiology is not well known. Autoimmunity to sweat glands or to acetylcholine receptors on sweat glands has been mentioned as one of the possible etiologies. Systemic steroid therapy, antihistamines, anticholinergics, and avoidance of the stimulatory situations are recommended for treatment. We experienced a case of cholinergic urticaria with acquired generalized hypohidrosis in a patient who had no other associated disease, and the symptoms eased after repeated bilateral stellate ganglion block. Stellate ganglion block normalized the elevated sympathetic tone and may relieve symptoms in patients with this condition.

The onset and duration of 0.2% ropivacaine with a varying dose of fentanyl in epidural labor analgesia

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of fentanyl dose on the onset and duration of 0.2% ropivacaine. METHODS: Sixty-one nulliparous women with singleton vertex pregnancy who requested epidural labor analgesia were enrolled. Patients were administered randomly 0, 50, 100microgram of fentanyl with 10 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine (Group F0, F50 and F100, respectively). VAS pain scores were recorded 0, 5, 10, 15 min after epidural injection, after which they were recorded every 15 min. The onset and duration of analgesia were measured. Side effects such as, pruritus, motor blockade, and hypotension were recorded.Satisfaction scores, type of delivery, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: The onset of analgesia was at 8.5 +/- 3.4 min in Group F100, compared with 13.7 +/- 7.2 min in Group F0 and 13.6 +/- 5.3 min in Group F50 (P = 0.009). The duration of analgesia was 122.6 +/- 20 min in Group F100, compared with 72.3 +/- 21.2 min in Group F0 and 97.8 +/- 22.4 min in Group F50 (P = 0.000). There were significant differences in VAS pain scores and satisfaction scores among the three groups. There were no differences in the incidences of maternal side effects and operative delivery or neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Fentanyl 100microgram was the most appropriate dose when combined with 0.2% ropivacaine due to the rapid onset and long duration of epidural labor analgesia.

Pulmonary thromboembolism after tourniquet inflation under spinal anesthesia: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Pulmonary thromboembolism is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing lower extremity orthopedic surgery. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are important clinical challenges. In this case, massive pulmonary embolism causing sudden cardiac arrest was attributed to use of tourniquet inflation during lower extremity orthopedic surgery. Resuscitation procedures were initiated and transesophageal echocardiography revealed pulmonary thromboembolism. Patients with high suspicion for the presence of deep vein thrombus must be monitored thoroughly during limb exsanguinations.